Electric switch.



Bu BENEDICT.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLIOATIOH FILED SEPT. 30, 1913.

1,107,646, Patented Aug. 18, 19m

3 W00 mic c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BERNHARD BENEDICT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO BEACON MINIATURE ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters ratent.

Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

Tocll whom it may concern Be it known that I, BERNHARD BENEDICT, citizen of the United States of America, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to electric pocketflash light lamps, and consists in an nn'proved construction of theswitch mechanism.

The switch in the hitherto known electric flash light lamps comprises a button protruding outwardly from the casing and which when pressed inwardly closes the electric circuit. Such structure has been found obiectionable, because when the lamp is carried in the pocket, some other objects coming in contact with the button depress the latter and close the electric circuit, thereby shortening the life of the battery. To overcome this drawback, the switch has been modified by the provision ofa sliding shield which envelops the button and which, on its displacement, depresses the latter. While this shield prevents an accidental depression of the button, it entails another objection, to wit, it protrudes too far from the casin and renders the carrying of the lamp in t is pocket very inconvenient.

My improved structure obviates the above mentioned drawbacks, in that it avoids the use of a button, and comprises a slide formed with a member that projects through a slot into the casing and is adapted to act against a spring member arranged inside of the casing so as to force it into contact with one of the poles of the battery. There being no button, the shield can be made very flat, to protrude only very slightly from the casing.

My invention will be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which similar reference characters denote corresponding parts and in which- Figure 1 is aside elevation of an electric pocket flash light showing my improved slide switch; Fig. 2 is a face view of the lamp of which a part is shown in longitudinal section along line 2-2, of Fig. 1; Fig. 33 is a side elevation partly in sec-'- tion along line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a top plan view partly in cross section along line 44 of Fig. 2; Fig.

spective view details of the switch; Fig. 6' is a partial longitudinal section of the lamp, showing a modified switchyFig'. 7 is a section on line 7-'7 of Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 are details of the modified switch.

With reference to Figs. 1-5, a denot -1 one casing of an electric pocket flash ligh lamp,

Z) the battery, and c the electric bulb. One of the poles (i of the battery is constantly in contact with the lamp, while the other extends into the free space of the casing. Thus far the construction is well known.

The new switch comprises a spring leaf or arm 6 fixed at its lower end to the inside of the casing. The upper end of said spring has a bend a projecting toward the free pole (Z of the battery, but is normally separated from the same. Provided in the casing opposite this leaf c and extending to a point above the upper end of the latter is a narrow slot or recess f in which engages a neck or projection g of a flat slide piece it having a rough surface and arranged on the outer surface of the casing a. Secured to or made integral with the neck 7' is a wedge shaped member 9 which with its outer surface is adapted to bear against the inner surface of the casing and bears with its front biased surface 9 against the spring arm 6.

It will be seen that when the slide is moved downwardly from its dotted position into the full line position, it will force the leaf or arm 6 inwardly, bringing it into contact with the free pole of the battery, whereby the electric circuit will be closed. To secure the switch in operative position, the arm or leaf 6 is formed with an outwardly bent rounded portion 6 which is adapted to engage a transversal groove 9* in the wedge 9. When the slide is moved into operative position the rib e of the spring will. snap into the groove 9 lVith the construction illustrated in Figs. 1-5, the closing of the switch is eflected by the movement of the wedge carrying slide in downward direction, that is, to say, when holding the lamp in one hand, the thumb resting on the slide, will have to be moved downwardly, which is inconvenient. In

order to enable'the operation of the switch in a more convenient way, that is, by moving the thumb upwardly, I have somewhat modified the construction, which is illustrated in shows in perthe opposite spring arm Z to force the latter into contact With the free pole of the battery Z); The recess or slot the present case isv eirrengecl somewhat lower relative to the spring arm 3 than. in the first construction so that when the slide t' eccupies it utmost oosition the member 70 thereof bears against L 7 9 ed the spring ei'm Z. The spring aim is pro- 7 le -Tl "with angular or V-shaped bend Z eat point which is opgoosite or nearly oppo e site the lower eclge of the recess 7' so that "when the slicle is moved downwardly to open the switch its member is Will enter the I formed by the angular hehol, releasing ahe spring eim. Z and; permitting it to into its initial position.

Since "various other modifications may be medic by" those skilled in the art Without cleeating from the spirit of my invention, I

clo not Wish to hm? myself to the particular details of the coi iction described and shown. 39

"What I claim and tie-site to secure by Lettees Patent is 1. Ah electric circuit cioseir or switch, comprising; e fiat slide having a Wedge-shaped extension, a spring leaf nst which seicl 35 Wedge acts to force the er into circuit closing position me etween seicl Wedge and leaf to lock the sex in circuit closing; position:

2, All electric circuit closer c switch com- 40 prising at slide having a JOVQd Wedgeshepecl extension, she]v a, spring lc having a projecting rib and against WhlCi. the said. Wedge acts to force it into circuit closing position,' said rib serving to engage the 45 grw'ved portion of ssicl Wedge to Each the latter in circuit closing position.

In testimony whereof I my sign: me in presence of two Witnesses nEB-NHARD BENEDICT.

eech, the fiommissicher oi? i "Q, r139 

